Flu season has hit Grey-Bruce region

Friday, Nov. 11, the Grey Bruce Health Unit received laboratory results confirming Influenza A (H3) in a Grey County resident. Area health care practitioners have been notified.

Provincially, there is increased influenza activity with 87 laboratory-confirmed cases this influenza season, as reported by Public Health Ontario to Nov. 5, 2016.

Public Health reminds everyone there are several things you can do to protect yourself and others from infection:

• Get the flu shot.
• Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. The influenza virus can survive on unwashed hands for five minutes, on tissues or clothing for eight to 10 hours, and on hard surfaces for two days.
• Contain your cough by covering your mouth with your sleeve, not your hand.
• If feeling unwell, stay home and rest.
• If sick, don’t visit a loved one in hospital or long-term care facility. The elderly and those in hospital are more at risk of developing serious complications of influenza which can be life threatening.

Get a flu shot; it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective. Influenza vaccine is available at doctor’s offices and selected pharmacies.

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit the website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca